Dynamo defeat Laredo Heat 2-1

The Houston Dynamo played their first of two exhibition
matches during the World Cup break Thursday, defeating the Laredo Heat 2-1 in front of 6,111 fans at
Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.

Felix Garcia, whose MLS rights are still owned by the Dynamo while he remains an amateur, put the Heat on the board early with a goal in
the second minute. After stealing the ball from Dynamo defender Ryan
Cochrane, Garcia took two steps and, from 25 yards out, found the back of the net
past goalkeeper Tally Hall. Garcia’s speed plagued the Dynamo defense until he
left the game in the 45th minute with an apparent injury.

Laredo, of the amateur Professional Development League, did not
back down from the Dynamo, playing with an intensity that drew the attention of
referee Carlos Salas. Midfielder Ezual Lewis picked up his second yellow card
in just the 17th minute after taking down Dynamo forward Joseph Ngwenya,
who had a clear path to the net. Salas was quick to eject Heat midfielder Dany
Galvan and Dynamo defender Mike Chabala (second yellow card) in the 41st minute after
the two appeared to exchange words while jostling for position in the box prior to a corner kick.

Houston midfielder Brian Mullan came into the game in the second half and
caused problems for the Heat defense. Mullan stole the ball and drew a foul in the penalty
area in the 68th minute, and Brad Davis converted the penalty kick to
even the score.

The Dynamo kept the pressure on the inexperienced Heat
defense and broke through in the 85th minute, when Lovel Palmer found
Dominic Oduro down the left flank. Oduro took two touches and perfectly placed
the ball in the upper right-hand corner of the net to seal the game for
Houston. Oduro also scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute of the Dynamo's last in-season friendly, the Dynamo Charities Cup against Monterrey last year.

The Dynamo have the weekend off but return to action on Saturday, June 19
against Aguila in the Dynamo Charities Cup at Robertson Stadium.